I have not done the LTT option in the past so if that works out for me I would have a few questions. I checked the KSC visitor center webpage and they had some info. I was surprised to read you are given an assigned time to arrive at the visitor center on launch day. Anyone know how far in advance you have to be there? I am trying to decide when to head down to the space coast. I figure to be safe I should go the day before launch but with liftoff slated for 7:55 pm I thought I could take a chance and depart early on the morning of the 14th. Anyone know how long before liftoff you are expected to be at the visitor center? Do they assign you to a particular bus? If not I would probably prefer to be on one of the last ones to leave. Probably more comfortable at the VC than being outside at the causeway with no place to sit down. If anyone can fill me in with some info I appreciate it.

Hey Tom, you can arrive as early as you want or at least at the time the VC opens, this is what I have done in the past. The card will say "Must Arrive By Or Before.." the noted time, not necessarily a "scheduled" time. What I have experienced is that at some point during the day (launch time dependent) they set up security check points along the roads entering the the space center and only allow cars with the place cards through to the VC and then, at a later point closer to the "arrive before" time they stop all general public traffic into the center.

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Do they assign you to a particular bus?

No. Those going out to the causeway with LTT or outside tours LTT, get on line to wait on the buses to take you out to the causeway. I think the causeway buses start moving after the crew arrives at the pad and security gives the all clear for vehicle movement at the center. I'm thinking this is approx 3.5 hours prior to launch. PM me or post a reply if you have more questions.

This may help others. A fellow I met during the STS-123 launch put together a nice trip report on experiencing a shuttle launch. This may answer yours and others questions. Also, he was able to get an inside tour of the center. Check it out.http://lazytoad.com/travel/florida/sts123/index.html

This may help others. A fellow I met during the STS-123 launch put together a nice trip report on experiencing a shuttle launch. This may answer yours and others questions. Also, he was able to get an inside tour of the center. Check it out.http://lazytoad.com/travel/florida/sts123/index.html

Thanks for the info. Your friend's report shed some light on some things. Sorry to see though that you must stand in line for so long. I hate that since I am so nervous prior to these launches. The waiting is tough. I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling that way though.

Any idea for a 7:55 pm launch about what time they will be closing the gates for arrival? I am guessing it is fairly early so it's going to be a very long day. I'd better hope that congressional pass comes through.

Knowing how I didn't get tickets to the launch which should I do Titusville or view from the VC. I'm leaning towards the Titusville because it costs nothing. If I do view from Titusville where should I go. Thanks

Any idea for a 7:55 pm launch about what time they will be closing the gates for arrival?

I was checking my old set of ticket packages and the "arrive by" times have varied between 6 to 7-1/2 hours prior to launch. So if the launch is scheduled for 7:55PM then the arrive by times would be around 12:30PM, give or take a half hour. That's a just guess from previous launches and can be used as a guideline but not anything anyone should make firm plans around.

I have a ticket to view from the visitors center. My question is can you walk to the causeway or is this not allowed. If not would I be better off not using ticket and view from Titusville so I can see the "whole" launch from pad?

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A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism. Carl Sagan,

I have a ticket to view from the visitors center. My question is can you walk to the causeway or is this not allowed. If not would I be better off not using ticket and view from Titusville so I can see the "whole" launch from pad?

I have a ticket to view from the visitors center. My question is can you walk to the causeway or is this not allowed. If not would I be better off not using ticket and view from Titusville so I can see the "whole" launch from pad?

not allowed

Thanks, I guessed that but just thought it might be possible!

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A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism. Carl Sagan,

I have a ticket to view from the visitors center. My question is can you walk to the causeway or is this not allowed. If not would I be better off not using ticket and view from Titusville so I can see the "whole" launch from pad?

The way I went about congressional tickets was through my congressman. I sent him an e-mail back in March for STS-126 (then it was in October). He assigned one of his aides to help me and sent me her contact info. I called her and she called Nasa's Legislative affairs on my behalf and had me added to the request list.

I had also contacted my senator who passed me off on one of his lackeys. He told me that he called NASA and was told the waitlist was full. I asked him who he talked do, and he didn't know. I asked him to forward me the e-mail, he said he didn't have it. I told him that I know for a fact that there is a waiting list, and I though he was full of bull.

I gave him two choices a) go back, do some research, and contact NASA; or b) I go back to the senator and ask them to assign someone compentent. He chose option 'a'.

You will need to contact your congressional representative at least 6 months before the launch...and even then, you won't know if you are on the list until about 3 weeks before the launch. I suggest you actually talk to someone, and ask them to cc: you on the e-mail to Nasa. That worked pretty well for me.

And yes, I was scheduled for STS-125, when it got moved to Feb. I was contacted at the beginning of October and given the option to view 126. I accepted.

I just found out that NASA told my Congressional Representative that there are no more Congressional tickets for STS-126. I had asked for STS-125 and when I found out in the second week of September that Congressional tickets were closed out for STS-125, I asked for the next flight, STS-126, as the NASA contact suggested. Perhaps many STS-125 Congressional ticker holders were switched to STS-126, as someone mentioned earlier in this (or the 125 thread).

How do I ask for tickets to the next flight when there is so much uncertainty about which flight is next? (Rhetorical question.) Sigh.

Maybe I'll try the two minute beat-the-clock drill to purchase tickets when they come out for the next launch.

I just found out that NASA told my Congressional Representative that there are no more Congressional tickets for STS-126. I had asked for STS-125 and when I found out in the second week of September that Congressional tickets were closed out for STS-125, I asked for the next flight, STS-126, as the NASA contact suggested. Perhaps many STS-125 Congressional ticker holders were switched to STS-126, as someone mentioned earlier in this (or the 125 thread).

How do I ask for tickets to the next flight when there is so much uncertainty about which flight is next? (Rhetorical question.) Sigh.

Maybe I'll try the two minute beat-the-clock drill to purchase tickets when they come out for the next launch.

all the best,bob

I got the same message yesterday. I had luck going this route a couple of times now this is twice it has not worked. What surprised me was the senator's assistant emailed me at work. I do not recall ever giving her my work email address. Not sure how she got it but that feels a bit big brotherish. Signs of things to come perhaps. But I won't get into politics now....

I'm glad I have the KSC launch ticket as an alternative. But I really am not looking forward to the hours of waiting and long lines, not to mention traffic. If I have to be at the complex 7 hours before launch I will feel like a prisoner. OK that's overdoing it but it is going to be difficult passing the time for all those hours. Maybe I should have gone for the astronaut lunch ticket too. I hope maybe I can meet some other NSF people there while we wait.

I do not know if this is the right place to ask, but since I'll be in Florida for about 3 weeks in November, I think I need a car, so I have to rent one. Does any of you have information what I need, what kind of insurence etc. and what is the best car rental company... ( I do not live in the USA...)